Sunday, 13 March 2016

13th March 2016 Beachy NE2-3 Clear 7.15am - c.8.00am

Clearer conditions today but still hazy out to sea and there was a chilly northeasterly breeze. A Black Redstart that greeted our arrival in the car park was a good start. We had seen little whilst looking out to sea but Bob Edgar's timing was impeccable as he arrived just as JFC picked out a superb flock of Avocets passing offshore. With nothing else seen passing Bob soon headed off up the lane where he almost immediately flushed an Owl that he kindly quickly called us for but it unfortunately evaded our combined best efforts to relocate it. The White Wagtail was still present favouring the car park today and a Goldcrest had replaced yesterday's Firecrest in the pines at the top of the lane but apart from a few Stonechats little else was seen. Ron arrived and we once again enjoyed his company walking a shorter version of the Belle Tout loop in the cold northeasterly, but again, no sign of any Chiffchaffs or Wheatears although a second Goldcrest was seen near Birling.

Whilst this image doesn't do them justice, there are few finer sights on the Spring seawatches than a passing flock of Avocets. Early March consistently proves a good time for the species and the County record still stands at 120 seen passing Birling on 10th March 1995